UO release – EUGENE, Ore. – After the first multi-sack game of his career, Oregon freshman defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux has been named the Pac-12 Conference Defensive Lineman of the Week. Thibodeaux, who also forced a fumble in Oregon’s 17-7 win over California, was the third-highest graded defensive end in the nation by Pro Football Focus at 92.4. In addition to the two sacks and forced fumble, the Ducks’ freshman finished with a season-high three tackles. Thibodeaux was a key cog in a Ducks’ defense that limited Cal to 66 yards rushing and held an opponent to single-digit points for the fourth consecutive game. It marked the first time since 1960 that Oregon has held four consecutive opponents to single-digit points. Thibodeaux’s award is the second in as many games for an Oregon defensive lineman and the fourth overall for a Duck. Senior Gus Cumberlander earned the league’s defensive lineman award after the Stanford game, while sophomore Penei Sewell claimed the conference offensive lineman award after the Montana and Stanford games.
